20 August 2007

Americans mow 31 million acres of lawn every year. It takes 300 million gallons of gas and 1 billion hours to complete the chore. And for this privilege they will spend $17.4 billion on everything from pesticides (70 million pounds) to lawn tractors.

Warren Klink thinks that's insanity.

Klink is a landscape architect who runs a small firm here called Urban Thickets. He proudly proclaims it's a "lawn reduction company." A little quirky, a bit mischievous and highly likable, Klink is referred to fondly within the industry as "an onion among the orchids." He has been known to put up a stink.